Purchasing Agent/Buyer

Job Summary

Our Purchasing Agent / Buyer is responsible for creating, posting, evaluating, and awarding bids for materials, services, and capital construction projects for the Utilities and Utilities Warehouse. They manage contracts and evaluate vendor performance and inventory procurement to ensure availability when needed, researching and recommending materials and competitive procurement processes for general city department use.

The salary range for this position is $34.20 - $43.47 per hour with a hiring range of $34.20 - $37.83 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.  

This opportunity will be available to applicants until the position is filled, with a first reading of resumes on January 2, 2025.

A current resume is required, and a cover letter is preferred.

Join a great team at the City of Loveland's Power Department!  Please view our video Working at Loveland to learn more about our exceptional Loveland community and the benefits of working for the City.

Essential Functions

• Maintain awareness of market trends effecting pricing, availability and quality.
• Execute and administer the procurement process for a variety of services, materials, and capital project work in accordance with City Code, Purchasing Policies and Procedures, and Federal procurement requirements.
• Identify potential vendors, market stability, and product availability for specific goods and services and conducts meetings with vendors.
• Coordinate competitive bidding processes; develop invitations to bid; provide public notifications by posting bid documents on a web-based solicitation system, participate in bid openings; monitors evaluations of bids; coordinate acceptance and award of bids.
• Implement techniques for identifying best value procurements using best practices, analytical tools and market trends that impacts pricing, availability and quality for the materials and needs of water, electric and fiber broadband utilities.
• Create, administer and enforce procurement contracts; assess the accuracy of vendor specifications, develops terms and special conditions, negotiates changes to contracts as required.
• Monitor annual contracts; renews, revises and re-bids for those materials and/or services.
• Coordinate and oversee vendor interactions with the City and staff; create and nurture business partnerships/relationships; actively investigate new opportunities for connecting and engaging in business with new vendors; mediate and resolve agency and/or vendor disputes.
• Provide customer support to all City departments and employees requesting assistance.
• Assist others with ordering, creating PO’s, entering and approval of invoices. As well as providing oversight on orders and ongoing instruction and guidance to staff.
• Follow City and industry standard ethical procurement practices.
• Processes invoices for payment.
• Review/Audit invoices for contract compliance before payment.
• Promote and participate in cooperative procurement projects with other agencies.
• Assist Purchasing Administrator with approval and routing of contracts for all City departments.

Other Job Functions

• May attend NIGP, RMGPA and MAPO training seminars and conferences.
• May participate in meetings off-site.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education: 4 Year / Bachelor's Degree in Business, finance, construction management or related field.  An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may substitute for education requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Required Experience:  5 years of recent purchasing experience in commodity buying required

Preferred Experience:  2 years of materials management or purchasing for a utility

Certifications:  Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) is preferred. If not certified at the time of hire, must actively pursue certification and should be attained within six (6) years.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Clear understanding of purchasing guidelines such as Governmental Purchasing Policies and Procedures, i.e. NIGP, FEMA, State of Colorado.
• Demonstrated negotiation experience and strong knowledge of contract principles and practices.
• Advanced experience using procurement, financial, database, spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software.
• Analyze financials and report findings to stakeholders.
• Prepare bid documents and Request for Proposals.
• Working knowledge of electric utility materials; transformers, cable, poles, meters and ancillary equipment.
• Working knowledge of construction project management.
• Demonstrated professional oral and written communication skills.

Physical Demands: Frequent- Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed and minimal.

Working Environment

• Frequent: Exposure to routine office noise and equipment.
• Occasional: Exposure to hazards typically found in general office environments where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

City of Loveland job descriptions are designed to describe the general nature and level of work necessary to perform well in the job; they are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, and qualifications. City of Loveland job descriptions may be updated periodically, and additional activities, duties or responsibilities may be assigned by management as deemed appropriate.

With over 300 days of sunshine, and just 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park in the heart of northern Colorado, Loveland is an ideal community for anyone to call home.  Known as the Sweetheart City, this vibrant cultural hub is home to nearly 500 sculptures and public art installations, the world-famous Valentine Remail Program, and picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains.  The community is bustling with a thriving arts, brewery, foodie, and shopping scene.  Enjoy headliner concert and theatre productions, professional hockey events, endless community recreation and open space opportunities, art and sculpture shows, and several local festivals.  Loveland also boasts an award-winning golf course and an inclusive library and community center. Loveland, Colorado has EVERYTHING YOU LOVE!

In 2020, Loveland was the only Colorado City to win the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence, is the top residential recycling City in the state for 4 consecutive years and has been ranked as one of the top places to live, work and raise a family in the U.S. and as one of the Most Idyllic Picturesque towns in America.

Apply today to join more than 800 employees who work to meet the core values of: Accountability & Integrity, Transparency & Honoring the Public Trust, Collaboration, Innovation, Safety, Excellent Service with Courtesy and Kindness.  The City of Loveland is a diverse and welcoming community organization, and our employees enjoy a competitive benefits program, various opportunities for growth and development, and an exceptional work-life balance.

A vibrant community, surrounded by natural beauty, where you belong!

Benefits Information

Benefit Eligible Benefits Package Includes:

• Two (2) Medical plans, Dental, Vision (for self/ spouse/ children)
• A Dedicated, exclusive Employee Health and Wellness Center
• Discounted Chilson Center passes
• Paid vacation, holidays, floating holidays, and medical leave
• Flexible spending including Dependent Care
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term disability, and voluntary Critical Illness Coverage
• Retirement 401a, 457, Roth (pre-& post tax) and company match
• A Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary 529 College Invest program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Personal and Professional Development opportunities
• Employee Recognition Program
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Market based pay & regular performance reviews
• Local Government employment is eligible for Public Loan Forgiveness Program

The City of Loveland provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

The City of Loveland participates in E-Verify. In accordance with E-Verify requirements, upon your date of hire the City of Loveland will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. E-Verify Notice of Participation. Learn more about your right to work. Visit E-Verify.gov for more information.

Hybrid Remote Work Eligibility:  This position may be eligible for up to two days per week working remotely. Probationary employees (within the first six months of employment) may not be eligible. Subject to change based on business needs and performance expectations.

Employment offers will be conditional on the successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Salary : $34 - $43